On February 20th, ASBM Advisory Board Chair Philip Schneider, Associate Dean of University Arizona College of Pharmacy, testified before the New Mexico Legislature in support of its biosimilar substitution bill. Dr. Schneider appeared before the House Business and Industry Committee to support  and the Senate Corporations and Transportation Committee to support HB 260 and SB 180; both bills contain identical language.

From Dr. Schneider’s testimony:

“Current New Mexico law has no clear pathway for substitution of biosimilar drug products.  [HB 260 and SB 180] will establish a clear substitution process by allowing pharmacists to dispense an FDA approved interchangeable biologic without first seeking approval…It will increase access to new treatment options and lower cost medicines for patients, without posing an undue burden on pharmacists. 26 states have passed similar legislation in the past few years”.

Both bills subsequently passed unanimously out of their respective committees.